The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

By Mohamed Miah

In the natural world, untouched by human hands, harmony reigns. Ecosystems function with an innate balance, a give-and-take that sustains life in ways we can barely comprehend. Predators and prey, plants and pollinators, oceans and forests—each element plays its role in maintaining this delicate equilibrium. But when humans intervene, driven by greed and an insatiable hunger for control, this harmony crumbles.

We’ve seen it time and again: habitats destroyed, species displaced, and ecosystems thrown into chaos. Whether through deforestation, overfishing, or the introduction of invasive species, humans have been the prime disruptors of the natural order. And more often than not, these disruptions stem from a familiar source: greed. Greed for land, resources, and, ultimately, power.

The Roots of Greed in Human Society

This greed is not just environmental—it’s systemic. Over the centuries, humanity has constructed hierarchies rooted in the same destructive impulse. Aristocracies, monarchies, and caste systems were designed to preserve wealth and power for a select few. Today, those structures have evolved into new forms: corporate giants, oligarchies, and financial empires. We live in a world where money and profit are often placed above all else, where social status and wealth are the ultimate markers of success.

It’s easy to see the parallels between today’s world and the past. The rich and powerful of our time are, in many ways, the modern-day Pharaohs, controlling vast resources and wielding influence over millions of lives. Just as ancient kings ruled through fear and exploitation, today’s elites maintain systems that perpetuate inequality and environmental destruction.

Capitalism, driven by profit at any cost, encourages this cycle. Companies, driven by shareholders and bottom lines, exploit both people and the planet for short-term gain. The result? A widening gap between the rich and poor, a planet on the brink of collapse, and a society increasingly disconnected from its own humanity.

The Moral Teachings of Moses—Now Just Words?

If we look back at history, the Ten Commandments given to Moses (peace be upon him) were clear moral guidelines designed to promote justice, compassion, and respect for life. “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” “You shall not murder”—these commandments outlined fundamental principles meant to safeguard society against the very greed and selfishness that now define much of the modern world.

Yet, today, these commandments have largely become just words. In a world consumed by capitalism, corporations covet resources, wealth is hoarded, and exploitation runs rampant. The pursuit of material wealth has dulled our collective moral compass. Instead of living by these principles, many societies now place profit above ethics. The same commandments that once protected against greed and exploitation are disregarded as outdated in the face of relentless consumerism.

The teachings of Moses, if adhered to, would help create a world where fairness and humanity come before greed—where social justice and respect for others define our actions. Instead, these values have been undermined by the structures of power and wealth we’ve built.

The Loss of Humanity and the Story of Noah

This brings us to an essential question: how far can we stray from our moral and ethical foundations before we lose what makes us human?

In the story of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), the people of his time had become consumed by corruption and greed, ignoring the divine warnings that urged them to return to righteousness. They indulged in material desires, oppressed the weak, and abandoned their faith. Eventually, they were swept away in a great flood—a reckoning for their moral decay.

While today’s world may not face a flood, with a caveat due to climate change, driven by unchecked consumption and exploitation, which threatens the very survival of our planet. Wealth inequality continues to grow, with billions living in poverty while a handful of individuals hold more wealth than entire nations. The moral decay is palpable, as the pursuit of material success often comes at the expense of compassion, justice, and spiritual fulfilment.

The story of Noah serves as a reminder: when humans move too far from their ethical foundations, they risk losing everything.

Faith as the Blueprint for Harmony

Instead of continuing down this path of destruction, we need to turn back to the principles that guide not just personal conduct, but societal balance. Faith, particularly Islam, offers a roadmap for living in harmony with both nature and humanity.

Islam, teaches that humans are stewards of the Earth—entrusted to protect and care for it, not exploit it. The Quran emphasises justice, fairness, and compassion, values that stand in direct opposition to the greed and exploitation driving modern capitalism. The concept of zakah (obligatory charity), which redistributes wealth to ensure that those in need are cared for. Or sadaqah (voluntary charity), which encourages Muslims to give beyond what is required, fostering a culture of generosity over accumulation.

These principles, would help counterbalance the systemic greed that dominates society today. They encourage not just individual charity, but a broader societal commitment to fairness and sustainability. Islam teaches that wealth is a trust from God, to be used responsibly for the betterment of all—not hoarded for personal gain. Imagine a world where wealth inequality is tackled head-on, where environmental stewardship is a collective responsibility, and where social justice is not a slogan, but a way of life.

The Power of Faith and Community

People need to truly understand the power they hold through faith and community, and find the courage within themselves to act, they should rise up against the injustices and imbalances of modern society. Just as Bangladesh has shown resilience and determination in its pursuit of lawful and positive change, so too can communities worldwide harness their collective strength. By embracing their faith’s teachings and uniting for a common cause, they should challenge the structures of greed and inequality and work towards a more just and balanced world.

The further we drift from ethical and spiritual principles, the more we lose our humanity. In Islam, the concept of fitrah refers to the natural disposition of human beings—our inherent inclination towards good, towards justice, towards compassion. When we allow greed to dominate, we stray from this natural disposition. The result is a world of exploitation, dehumanisation, and environmental collapse.

But if we return to these foundational principles we can begin to restore balance. Faith provides the framework for a more just, humane, and harmonious society, one that values people and the planet over profits. It reminds us of our responsibility to care for one another and for the Earth itself.

The world we live in today—dominated by greed, inequality, and environmental destruction—was created by human hands. But it can also be fixed by human hands. The values that guide us, faith, compassion, justice, humility, and stewardship offer us a path forward. They remind us that there is more to life than wealth and status. They teach us that true success lies not in what we own, but in how we care for others and the world around us.

If we continue down the path of greed, the consequences will be dire. But if we turn back, if we embrace the moral and ethical teachings of Islam, we can begin to restore the harmony that has been lost. The flood may be inevitable, but the choice is ours.